Murray needs to box clever, says Henman
FORMER British No1 Tim Henman believes Andy Murray needs to execute the perfectly crafted game-plan to outwit Novak Djokovic in tonight’s US Open quarter-final.
World No1 Djokovic has won four of the last five meetings between the two rivals, although Murray did prevail during the big money stakes of grand slam finals at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013.
And Henman, who reached the US Open semi-final in 2004, insists tactical astuteness will prove as priceless a commodity as raw aggression this time around.
“You can’t just go for everything against a guy like Djokovic and make loads of mistakes, you have to get the balance right,” he said.
“I think Andy needs to go in there prepared to be as mentally and physically strong as possible, you’re not going to get any gifts. They play similar styles, it’s about who can be aggressive, take their chances and limit their unforced errors.”
Murray heads into the clash buoyed by a straight-sets victory against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which represented a first win against a top-10 opponent since his Centre Court heroics against Djokovic last July.
Djokovic has not dropped a set en route to this year’s last eight, form which Henman reckons favours the Serbian’s chances of progression.
“I think Djokovic goes in as the slight favourite,”added Henman.
“There’s no secrets between them. It really comes down to who plays best on the day.”
Tim Henman will join John McEnroe at the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall, 3-7 December. Tickets: 0207 070 4404